Back home, Ye Qingmei's condition remained poor, her spirit lost, which pained Li Xiaotian to see.
Damn the Zhao family, that Zhao Tianlong. If not for him being Ye Qingmei's biological father, Li Xiaotian would have long ago sent people to exterminate the Zhao family based on his words just now!
"Qingmei, don't be sad. In the future, I and Tiantian will be with you," Li Xiaotian said, holding Ye Qingmei tightly.
Ye Qingmei shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes again, and murmured.
"Why didn't they appear sooner? Where were they when I was all alone and pitiful in the Ye family? Where were they when I had no one to rely on in Jiangcheng?"
"I don't wish for my biological parents to have any illustrious background; even if they were ordinary, it would be fine."
"When they came to see me, I was actually a little happy, but they shouldn't have come to see me like this."
Ye Qingmei curled up, looking very pathetic. She continued to speak.
"From beginning to end, they never said why they abandoned me, nor did they ask me how I've been all these years."
Li Xiaotian clenched his fists tightly, holding Ye Qingmei. A surge of anger he couldn't release coursed through him. He arrived late and didn't know the full situation. He couldn't discern anything about Ye Qingmei's mother, Fang Yuan.
But that Zhao Tianlong was indeed excessive. Not only did he show no remorse towards his biological daughter, but he also spoke with a condescending tone. A mere Zhao family dared to speak to his wife like that?
However, they were Ye Qingmei's biological parents after all, so Li Xiaotian couldn't say much. He would respect Ye Qingmei's choice.
If Ye Qingmei acknowledged the Zhao family, Li Xiaotian would grant them an immense opportunity.
If she didn't, he wouldn't hold a grudge against the Zhao family for it.
Of course, if anyone from the Zhao family dared to upset his wife and daughter because of this, he would make them pay the price!
The top families of Great Qin were something Li Xiaotian could destroy with a single word!
That evening, Ye Qingmei grew increasingly sorrowful, eventually breaking down into tears.
Seeing this, Li Xiaotian felt even more heartbroken. He held her tightly, trying every means to comfort her.
In the end, Li Xiaotian, unable to bear it any longer, called Long Yi.
"Cause some trouble for that Zhao family. First, cut off the capital chain for all their family's industries!"
"Yes, Big Brother!" Long Yi quickly responded, filled with confusion. When did this small family, the Zhao family of the capital, offend his Big Brother?
That very night, as Zhao Tianlong returned to the capital, the Zhao family's old mansion summoned all core members for an immediate meeting.
Zhao Tianlong rushed to the Zhao family mansion, his heart filled with confusion and shock.
To his knowledge, such large-scale meetings had rarely occurred. Every time such a meeting was convened, it signified a major crisis for the Zhao family.
What had happened? With the Zhao family's current standing, were there any unsolvable difficulties in Great Qin?
Zhao Tianlong was filled with doubt, unsure of what had transpired.
However, upon entering the Zhao family hall and seeing the faces of all the influential figures of the Zhao family seated within, he felt an immediate sense of foreboding.
In the Zhao family hall, Old Master Zhao sat in the central seat, his brow furrowed. The other members of the Zhao family were also seated, their expressions respectful.
"We just received news that all the forces cooperating with our Zhao family have suddenly refused to cooperate, and are willing to pay exorbitant breach of contract fees."
Old Master Zhao spoke with a grave expression after everyone from the Zhao family had arrived.
His words caused the hall to fall into a profound silence. Everyone's expression changed. It was impossible for all the forces cooperating with the Zhao family to simultaneously refuse cooperation!
After all, their Zhao family was one of the top families in Great Qin. Countless forces and powerful individuals sought cooperation with the Zhao family daily.
Yet now, those individuals were willing to pay breach of contract fees just to sever ties with the Zhao family. This was utterly abnormal.
"Father, what did those people say? How dare they do this? Do they know the consequences of their actions?"
Zhao Tiancheng, the head of the Zhao family, looked incredulous, unable to believe the news.
"Father, is it all the forces? What about the Ouyang family, who are close to us? Are they also like those people?"
In the hall, Old Master Zhao's four sons all spoke, and Zhao Tiancheng's expression was equally disbelieving. The matter was too sudden; they couldn't accept it.
Old Master Zhao sighed, patted the table to quiet them, and then spoke.
"The Ouyang family has also refused to cooperate with our Zhao family, and they have already paid the breach of contract fees. Old Master Ouyang also told me directly that this was not the Ouyang family's intention; a major figure had spoken, wishing for our Zhao family to suffer."
"What?" Everyone in the hall was shocked. A major figure wished for their Zhao family to suffer? What kind of major figure possessed such power?
Their Zhao family was a prominent family second to none in Great Qin, with unfathomable influence. They had some connection, more or less, with the top leaders of various departments in Great Qin. In fact, they could even pass messages to the master of Great Qin, the Dragon Lord residing in the Dragon Mansion.
Therefore, to be frank, they couldn't believe that anyone could make their Zhao family so pathetic with just a word, unless the Great Qin government itself was targeting them.
"Father! This is impossible. Could Old Master Ouyang be lying? Which major figure has such great authority to make all the forces cooperating with us breach their contracts? You must realize that some of these forces are beyond even our Zhao family's capabilities."
Zhao Tiancheng, the head of the Zhao family, looked solemn, but the slight tremble in his hands betrayed his inner panic.
Old Master Zhao furrowed his brow, not answering his son's question, likely pondering himself what kind of major figure could make their Zhao family so miserable.
In the hall, the Zhao family members harbored different thoughts, imagining countless powerful figures in their minds. But regardless of who it was, they felt that no one could bring them to this state, and any major figure capable of threatening their Zhao family would have no reason to act against them without cause.
Zhao Tianlong's expression was grave. A figure flashed through his mind: Li Xiaotian, his daughter's husband. But he quickly dismissed it, mocking himself for being too nervous. How could such a minor figure pose a threat to their Zhao family?
The hall fell into silence. It wasn't because the Zhao family members were scared, but because they simply didn't know how to proceed, as they still hadn't identified the identity of this major figure.
Just then, a person rushed into the hall, his face pale. It was Zhao Xiaodong, from the third generation of the Zhao family, the son of Old Master Zhao's second son.
"Grandfather, Uncles, this is bad! Longxing, which had promised to provide us with funds, has suddenly stopped. Furthermore, they sent us an official notice demanding that our Zhao family repay all previous loans within a month!"
Zhao Xiaodong's expression was panicked. This news was overwhelming for him. For any enterprise or family, regardless of its endeavors, capital was paramount. Without operating funds, the family's fate would be demise!
Even though the Zhao family was robust, their operating funds were limited. It was tens of billions of funds, while their family's assets were in tangible form.
It wasn't just the Zhao family; any family or enterprise did not possess abundant operating funds. They would use their funds where needed, and then mortgage some of their industries to banks for loans. In the past, banks were very willing to accept such requests; there was never a case of a bank refusing a loan.
But now, the bank refusing to lend to the Zhao family was equivalent to pulling the rug out from under them, cutting off their most fundamental support. How could this not cause the Zhao family to panic?
"What?!?" Old Master Zhao shot up from his seat with a look of horror. Immediately, his body swayed, and he felt a darkness descend upon him as he toppled backward.
"Father!"
"Grandfather!!"
Everyone in the hall suddenly panicked. They paid no heed to the shocking news Zhao Xiaodong had brought, their sole concern now being Old Master Zhao.
A family with an elder is a treasure. If Old Master Zhao met with any accident, their Zhao family's strength would undoubtedly be reduced by at least half!
After all, many of their Zhao family's crucial connections were maintained by Old Master Zhao.
"Quick, get the medical team from the First People's Hospital!! Hurry!!" shouted Zhao Tiancheng, the head of the Zhao family.
Instantly, everyone in the hall scattered like headless flies.
At this moment, Old Master Zhao, who was being held, suddenly regained consciousness and let out a heavy gasp.
"Father!" Zhao Tiancheng exclaimed with joy.
"I'm fine! Help me up!" Old Master Zhao said through gritted teeth. He shakily got up and sat back in the main seat. The Zhao family's current situation was extremely perilous. If he were to collapse, the Zhao family would truly be finished!
Seeing Old Master Zhao's return to consciousness, everyone in the hall breathed a sigh of relief.
Old Master Zhao closed his eyes, seated on his chair, and calmly reviewed the events. Then, he opened his eyes and looked at everyone, saying.
"Someone wants our Zhao family to perish! But we will never sit idly by!"
Everyone in the hall agreed wholeheartedly, yet they were filled with profound confusion. Without even knowing the enemy's identity, how could their Zhao family retaliate?
"Tiancheng! You personally go to Longxing and meet with the governor of Longxing. Find out the specific reason. The Zhao family's funds absolutely cannot be cut off!"
Old Master Zhao spoke word by word, regaining his usual imposing demeanor and a look of steadfastness.
"Yes, Father!" Zhao Tiancheng immediately responded and hurried away.
"Tianwen, go contact the families that are on good terms with our Zhao family and ask if they can lend us some funds to help the Zhao family overcome this difficult time!"
"Tianlong, go contact those influential figures who are allied with our Zhao family and find out who exactly is making a move against us!"
"Tianqi, you will take charge at the Zhao family Group headquarters. Dispose of all stocks and assets that can be sold, and raise as much capital as possible. If the Zhao family cannot easily resolve this disaster, then we can only rely on our own rescue efforts!"
In the hall, Zhao Tianlong and the others responded, and then each departed, their faces filled with worry as they left.
After giving all the instructions, Old Master Zhao let out a slight sigh of relief. He looked at the others in the hall, waved his hand, and said weakly.
"You can all leave now. You cannot help with this disaster facing the Zhao family."